Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans: Line-ups, preview and predicton

Two weeks ago the New Orleans Pelicans were on a winless tailspin, opening the season with eight consecutive losses. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said the decision to reinsert Davis into a blowout was largely to determine how the Pelicans’ star might perform in Wednesday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in New Orleans (ESPN, 9:30 p.m. ET).

The New Orleans Pelicans were without All-Star Anthony Davis for much of the Tuesday night game because of a right knee contusion, but they still rolled to a 112-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. After missing the first 12 games to be with his wife, who is recovering from a brain tumor, and newborn daughter, Holiday is averaging 19.3 points and 6.7 assists.

A three-time All-Star in each of his three National Basketball Association seasons, Davis ranks sixth with an 11.3 rebounding average.

It was when the Golden State Warriors brushed off New Orleans in four games. The former Rookie of the Year underwent three knee surgeries in a span of 4 months, according to The New Orleans Advocate’s Scott Kushner. They also outrebounded the Hawks by 10, had 10 more points in the paint and had a nine-point advantage in fast break scoring. Anthony Davis scored 13 points in the stanza, while Tim Frazier handed out a handful of assists, setting up the likes of Omer Asik and E’Twaun Moore for easy hoops.

You may not think of Davis as a back-to-the-basket big, but post-ups make up the second-largest percentage of his offensive plays this season, per Synergy Sports, and he’s been just as effective at them as bruiser DeMarcus Cousins (0.949 PPP).

Beyond the small sample size numbers, Holiday brings a level of poise back to the Pelicans’ offense that wasn’t present while Davis was frantically trying to do all he could. He returned to the bench but did not return to the game.

There has been a lot of speculation about whether Davis will stay with the Pelicans or seek a trade elsewhere, but the 23-year-old has made it clear that he is committed to the franchise. He did eventually come back in the last quarter. Anthony Davis Chipped in 13 points and three rebounds.

The Pelicans were a minus-46 with Davis at center before Holiday’s return. “It puts guys in good position, but you still have to make shots”. The Pelicans don’t need a gunner or a point guard who is driven to shoot and little else.